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ST. PAUL  — Since March 1, 99,688 Minnesotans have come to MNsure.org and enrolled in private health insurance through a special enrollment period (SEP) or received eligibility for a public assistance program (Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare). As expected, sign-ups across all programs have been driven by concerns amid the pandemic.

“It’s never been more important to know you’re covered; that’s why we are so glad to have been able to help almost 100,000 Minnesotans gain access to comprehensive health care coverage,” said CEO Nate Clark. “But we know there are others out there who are currently uninsured and may qualify to sign up. If you’ve recently lost your employer-sponsored health insurance, had an income change, or have another qualifying life event, come to MNsure.org to see if you’re eligible.”

In addition to the enrollment opportunities that are available year-round, MNsure also introduced two new SEPs that provided expanded enrollment opportunities for Minnesotans during this critical time. The first was a COVID-19 SEP for uninsured Minnesotans that opened on March 23 and ran for 30 days, closing on April 21. During that period more than 9,400 Minnesotans enrolled in private health insurance through MNsure. Additionally, MNsure also announced another enrollment opportunity after the close of the COVID-19 SEP. This new SEP is for Minnesotans who are enrolled in health insurance outside of MNsure, but experienced a decrease in income such that they are now eligible for advanced premium tax credits.

More than 16,500 Minnesotans have enrolled in private health coverage between March 1 and June 16, which is over 8,000 more than had enrolled in private plans during the same time period last year.

All four medical insurance companies that sell private health insurance plans through MNsure are waiving co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles related to COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and cost sharing for in-network COVID-19 hospitalization. Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has removed any cost-sharing for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 for all Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members.